Combined bobbin and flyer assembly



Jan. 9, 1962 J. A. KOOISTRA ETAL 3,015,931

COMBINED BOBBIN AND FLYER ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 14, 1960Jam d1 .Koqzisifia,

flii'orzzeyls Jan. 9, 1962 .1. A. KOOISTRA ETAL 3,015,931

COMBINED BOBBIN AND FLYER ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 14, 196012209224303 0.- Jofaia vi. K04113833 Lanai: Bwaiefie,

fliorneys United States Patent 3,015,931 COMBINED BOBBIN AND FLYERASSEMBLY John A. Kooistra and Louis E. Bussiere, North Andover, Mass.,assignors to Davis 8: Furber Machine Company, North Andover, Mass, acorporation of Massachusetts Filed Sept. 14, 1960, Ser. No. 56,057 17Claims. (Cl. 57-73) This invention relates to the art of spinning andtwisting and is particularly concerned with a new and novel means forincreasing the output of spinning frames while at the same time reducingyarn breakage. When reference hereinafter is made to spinning frames, itwill be understood the term encompasses twisting frames, which aresubstantially identical in operation.

This application is a continuation-in-part of the application of John A.Kooistra and Louis E. Bussiere, filed July 29, 1959, Serial No. 830,315,now abandoned.

In the typical ring spinning operation of the prior art with which ourinvention may be used, the yarn or roving which is to be spun is fed tothe spindle from a suitable yarn source by feed rolls at the desiredrate. The yarn customarily then goes through a fixed eye locateddirectly above the spindle, thence through the traveler of the spinningring and from the traveler is wound on the bobbin on the spindle. As thespindle driven bobbin revolves, twist is applied to the yarn throughoutits length between the traveler and the front feed rolls with the rateof twisting being somewhat greater at the traveler end than at the feedroll end. The tension on the yarn between the traveler and the feedrolls is generally uniform, but since there is always less twist in theyarn close to the feed rolls most yarn breakage occurs there. This isparticularly true when the yarn is composed of short fibers, as is thecase when it is made of low quality stock or from waste. Such breakagereduces production and necessitates the stopping of the bobbin andpiecing up the yarn. If the breakage is not noted promptly by theoperator, the resulting package on that bobbin will be smaller thannormal. The foregoing is all well understood in this art.

We propose to place a flyer unit of novel construction on the upper endof the bobbin. This unit, which is removable from the bobbin, is inducedto rotate by the rotation of the traveler and acts to frictionallyrestrain the yarn as it is being drawn through the traveler to thebobbin. Numerous advantages flow from this arrangement, among which arethe following: The simultaneous rotation of the flyer and travelercauses the twist to be introduced into that part of the yarn between thefeed rolls and the flyer. Since this short section is under little or notension (it being drawn through the friction elements of the flyer atthe same rate as it comes from the feed rolls) and is immediatelystrengthened as it leaves the feed rolls by being twisted, breakage atthe feed rolls is substantially eliminated. The yarn passing through theflyer unit is by this time at full strength so that more tension than iscustomary may be applied to that part of the yarn between the flyer andbobbin. This results in a more compact package on the bobbin, test runsshowing that the weight of yarn on the bobbin may be increased 40 to 50percent without increasing the size of the package. At the same time,the rate of feed of the front rolls and the r.p.m. of the spindle may beincreased upwards of 100 percent without any increase in the breakage ofthe yarn. Thus not only is the rate of spinning greatly increased butalso because of the increase in weight of yarn placed on the bobbinwithout increasing the size of the package the number of dolfings perpound of yarn is appreciably decreased. This results in a verysubstantial increase in efliciency of the spinning frame.

r 3,015,931 Patented Jan. 9, 1962 When in such position the yarn remainsundisturbed, still running directly from the front rolls through theflyer assembly and thence through the traveler on the spinning ring.With the flyer assembly out of the way, the bobbin may then be removedwithout interfering with the yarn.

The bobbins with which we propose to use the flyer assembly may readilybe converted to such use by the introduction in the upper ends thereofof a removable. flyer supporting element. Thus if a bobbin becomesdamaged or unusable the support may be removed and ap plied to a newbobbin. The bobbin which we have found most useful in this connectionare of the pressed paper type or the wooden type, but it will beunderstood that the invention contemplates the use of the flyer unitwith any type of bobbin. In any case, the flyer unit support is atfixedto the upper end of the bobbin concentric with the spindle. The flyerunit and support are dynamically balanced so that no vibrational forcesor unbalanced loads have to be overcome. That is to say, spinningproceeds in normal fashion as far as the introduction and removal of thebobbins is concerned.

The flyer unit is carried by an anti friction bearing permitting it torotate freely with respect to the bobbin on which it is mounted. If thespindle speed, for example, were 5000 r.p.m., the traveler and flyerunit speeds with respect to the frame might be about 4950 r.p.m. to givea relative speed between bobbin and flyer of 50 rpm. The traveler andflyer speed will, of course, be the same, both lagging behind the bobbinspeed an amount to permit winding on the bobbin the quantity of yarnbeing fed by the feed rolls.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent asthe description proceeds with the aid of the accompanying drawings inwhich FIG. 1 is an elevation showing the general arrangement of theparts with the flyer assembly mounted on the upper end of a bobbin ofthe pressed paper type.

FIG. 2 shows the flyer assembly mounted on the upper end of aconventional wooden bobbin. I

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the spindle, bobbin, package and spinningring, partly in section, with the flyer assembly removed therefrom,permitting dofling without unthreading the yarn from the flyer unit andtraveler.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the flyer assembly positioned on one form ofmounting means that is affixed to the upper end of the bobbin. 7

FIG. 5 is a vertical section showing the construction of the upper endof the bobbin of FIG. 3 with the mounting means afiixed thereto and theflyer assembly mounted thereon.

FIG. 6 is' a side elevation of the flyer assembly in which the eye hasbeen rotated degrees with respect to its positionas shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows one type of supporting means for the flyer assembly whichmay be used in connection with a wooden bobbin.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a modified flyer assembly.

FIG. 9 is a vertical section showing the details of the constructionshown in plan view in FIG. 8.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there are shown the basic elements of aconventional spinning frame which comprise a spindle rail 2 carrying aspindle 4 on which is mounted bobbin 6. The ring rail 8 carries thespinning ring 10 and traveler 12. The spindle includes a whorl 14- whichis driven by the spindle band 16. Feed rolls 17 feed the yarn to thespindle at the desired rate.

The bobbin 6 disclosed in FIG. 1 and in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 5 ismade of pressed paper and is a type from the supporting structure,

now in common use in the industry. The spindle assem- V bly includes aconventional tubular bobbin positioning element 18 spring segments, twoof which are shown at 20 and 22. These segments and the shortcylindrical sleeve 23. act to frictionally engage the interior of bobbin6 to hold it securely on the spindle blade 24. The upper ends of thesegments 20 and 22 are protected by a circular cap 26.

The invention which is about to be described in. detail resides in thecombination of the bobbin with a flyer unit which is aflixed to theupperend of the bobbin in axial alignment with the spindle blade. Theflyer unit acts to put the twist into the upper; part of the yarn whilethe yarn is straight and under negligible tension and to provideresistance to yarn movement so that it must be drawn through thetraveler under greater tension.

The flyer. unit 25 and support therefor is best shown 7 in FIGS. 4, and6. The structure for mounting the ilyer on the upper end of bobbin 6comprises a cylindrical exteriorly threaded element or support 28 havingon its upper; end a circumferential flange 30 which rests on the uppercylindrical surface of the bobbin 6. A-nut 32, having a cylindricalperimeter of such diameter as to fit tightly against the innercircumference of bobbin 6 near the upper end thereof, is inthreaded'engagement with element 28. By rotating element 28 by means ofany suitable wrench acting on the flat opposed surfaces 34 and 361 (FIG,4) of the short upward extension 38, the nut 32 may be drawn up tightlyagainst the interior of bobbin 60 so that the flyer support is in secureengagement with the upper end of the bobbin. Support 28 has thereinan'axial hole with an interiorly threaded axially aligned hole 54 which.

is adapted to receive the threaded; shank 56 of eye 58. A look nut 60 ispositioned on the threaded shank 56 so that eye 58 may be locked in anyselected angular position with respect to housing 52. Shifting theangular position of eye 58 changes the frictional drag effect on theyarn passing therethrough.- A' slot 61 in the lower quadrant of eye 58allows the yarn to be readily introduced'into the eye.

Extending radially from shaft 53 is a guide arm 62 I having on its outerend a loop 64 which'acts as a thread arm 62 is a counterweight guide.Diametrically opposite 6,6 of such mass as'to statically and dynamicallycounterba nce M 1 6 r The supporting member 44 fits closely but nottightly withinhole 40. in a manner permitting ready removal by thespinning frame operator.

flyer assembly from becoming accidentally dislodged may be placed inforced fit engagement with the wall of the circular hole 42. This magnetexerts sufiicient pull on member 44 to maintain the latter securely inposition during operation, but the flyer unit may be manually withdrawn,from the'support when the bobbin is to be doffed.

An alternative way of securing member 44 in hole 40 is shown in FIG. 6in which the lower end of the shaft is split as at 70 with the ends'72and 74 bent apart sufliciently to provide frictional engagement with theinterior of hole '40.

Whenthe, flyer is used with a wooden bobbin,-the construction shown inFIG. 7 has been found convenient. Herethe bobbin, 76 has been bored outat its upper end which is split at its upper end into four' v to receivethe flyer shaft, which hole merges with a larger hole 42 therebelow inin the speed of the spindle.

as at 78 and a cylindrical threaded element 80 has been screwed tightlyinto the bobbin. The hole 82 acts to receive member 44 of the flyer inthe same way that hole 40 0f the element 28 of FIG. 5 receives member44. A magnet 68 may be placed in the cylindrical cavity 84 if member 44is to be secured in this fashion, or a split member like that'shown inFIG. 6 may be used if pre-v ferred. r

In the operation of the present invention, the yarn 86 is fed by thefeed rolls 17 to the eye 58,'thence through the, thread guide 64 to thetraveler 12 and onto bobbin 6. The yarn 86 in being drawn through eye 58and guide 64 moves against appreciable friction at these points. Sincethe rate at which the yarn is wound on the bobbin is substantially thesame as that at which his supplied by feed rolls 17, it follows that thetension on section 92 of the yarn between rolls 17 and eye 58 will bevery small and the tension on section 90 between guide 64 and the bobbinconsiderably greater. However, since the flyer 25 revolves at the samespeed as the traveler 12, it is believed apparent that the twist will beentirely applied to section 92, which is at all times under low tensionand in a substantially straight line.. Thus the yarn 86 is immediatelystrengthened as it emerges from rolls 1 7 with substantially the fulltwist being continually put in in moving section 92. This, of course,very materially minimizes the yarn breakage which in the prior practicegenerally occurred close to the rollers 17.

Section 92, having been strengthened in the manner just explained, isthen strong enough to stand the increased tension that is necessarilypresent in section 90 to overcome the frictional resistance to passagethrough eye 58, guide 64 and traveler 12 onto the bobbin.

Because the section 90 is relatively short and under relatively hightension, the extent of the ballooning is greatly reduced. Experimentshave shown that in the identical spinning frame the feed roll speeds canbe increased from the prior practice of 180 rpm. to 360 r .p.;m.,increasing the rate of feed of yarn from 19 yards to 38; yards'perminute and with corresponding increases Since the twist applied tosection 92 has brought the yarn up to full strength, the increased.tension possible in section 90 results in the yarn 7 move the yarn fromthe flyer or traveler. This is illustrated in FIG. 1. Adjacent eachspindle and 'on a suitable part of the frame 94 is a hole 96 adapted toreceive the flyer supporting'member 44. To doif the I bobbin, theoperator transfers the flyer from its normal In order to prevent the acylindrical magnet 68 V operating position on the upper end of thebobbin to its temporary position on frame 94. In so doing, the yarncontinues in its threaded'relation through eye 58, guide 64. andtraveler 12. In accord with common practice, the terminal end of theyarn as at 98 will be twisted around the lower end of the spindle afterthe .filled bobbin has'been removed. After the new bobbin has beenplaced on the spindle and flyer 25 returned.

to its position on the upper end of the bobbin, starting up of thespindle will cause the wound on the bobbin.

The tension in section 91 may be increased or reduced by varying theangular position of eye 58 with respect to guide 64. The friction of theyarn in passing through eye 58 set as in FIG. 5 is greater than in thecase of FIG. 6. By rotating eye 58 further to the right beyond theposition of FIG. 5, the tension could be further increased.

A modification of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Inthisembodiment the same principles are present as in the other constructionheretofore described.

e main differences are found in an improved bearing yarn to commencebeing structure, giving greater rigidity to the flyer unit, and amodified magnet means for maintaining the unit in position in theretaining socket in the upper end of the bobbin.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the bobbin 6 has a rolled upper end 7designed to support a cylindrical tubular element 90 of non-magneticmaterial exteriorly threaded at 92 and having an upper flange 94, theunder side of which rests on the upper end of the bobbin. A nut 96 witha circular exterior acts to draw the flange 94 down against end 7 sothat the parts are maintained in tight frictional engagement with thebobbin. The lower end of the tubular element 90 is closed by a shortcylindrical steel keeper 98 which is in forced fit engagement therewith.

The flyer unit comprises a non-magnetic, preferably metallic, axiallypositioned supporting member in the form of a sleeve 100 having acylindrical magnet 102 loosely positioned in the lower end thereof. Themagnet, having a flat bottom surface, is cut away across a diameter asat 102 to produce a slot through which extends a retaining pin 106, theends of which reside in the lower cylindrical wall 108 of sleeve 100.The magnet may be said to be freely floating within the lower end ofsleeve 100 and held from escape by the pin 106.

A pair of ball bearing anti friction devices comprising inner and outerraces 108 and 110 with balls 112 therebetween are positioned within theupper end of sleeve 100 and held apart by a cylindrical spacer 114. Thelower outer race 110 rests on sleeve shoulder 113. Both outer races 110are in tight engagement with the inner wall of sleeve 100. The upper endof sleeve 100 is closed by the flange ring 115.

A shaft 116 fits closely within the inner races 108 and is held againstupward removal by means of a snap ring 118 which resides in a suitablecircumferential groove at the lower end of the shaft. The upper end ofshaft 116 is enlarged as at 120 to terminate in a shoulder 122 and athreaded upper end 124. Enlargement 120 is free of engagement with ring115. A pair of clamping washers 126 have positioned therebetween athread guide 128, which washers and thread guide are securely maintainedin position on shaft 116 by a cylindrical element 130 interiorlythreaded at 132 which is screwed down on the upper threaded end 124 ofshaft 116. The upper end of element 130 is cut away transversely as at134 and is axially apertured at the upper end at 136 and radially cutaway as at 138 to produce an eye 139 through which the yarn may beintroduced and held on its way to the thread guide 128. By thisconstruction the shaft 116, flyer 128 and eye 139 are free to revolve asa unit with respect to sleeve 100 and bobbin 6.

The angular position of thread guide 128 to the eye 139 may be changedby loosening element 130 and shift ing the thread guide position onshaft 116. In this way the yarn tension can be changed.

Sleeve 100 fits closely but slidably within tubular element 90, and whenso positioned therein, the magnet 102 by its attraction to keeper 98holds the flyer unit securely in position on the bobbin. Since themagnet is an integral part of the flyer unit and not of the bobbin, asdistinguished from the construction shown in FIG. 5, it reduces thenumber of magnets required to one per spindle.

The operation of the flyer unit of FIGS. 8 and 9 is the same as thatheretofore described with respect to the constructions shown in FIGS. 4to 7 inclusive. When it is desired to remove the flyer unit, theoperator, by use of sufficient but slight force, can cause separation ofthe magnet from keeper 98, perrnitting sleeve 100 and associated partsto be removed from the bobbin. This allows the bobbin to be dotfed inthe normal manner. The flyer unit may then be inserted in the upper endof the next bobbin put on the spindle. When the flyer unit is used withawooden bobbin, the steel keeper unit will be inserted in a suitablyaxially located cavity in the upper end of the spindle. 1

-It is our intention to cover all changes and modifications of theexample of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosurewhich do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

We claim:

1. In combination, a bobbin, said bobbin having an axially disposedopening in the upper end thereof, a flyer unit removably secured to theupper end of said bobbin, said unit comprising an axially disposedmember nonrotatably'positioned in said opening, ashaft and associatedyarn guide arm rotatably mounted on said axially disposed member, andmeans for preventing vertical dislodgement of said shaft from saidaxially disposed member during normal operation of said bobbin.

2. In combination, a bobbin, said bobbin having an axially disposedopening in the upper end thereof, a flyer unit removably secured to theupper end of said bobbin, said unit comprising an axially disposedmember nonrotatably positioned in said opening, a shaft and associatedyarn guide arm rotatably mounted on said axially disposed member, andseparable magnetically attracted elements, one of which is positioned atthe lower end of said opening, holding said unit in operative positionin said bobbin.

3. For use in a spinning frame, a bobbin adapted to be removablypositioned on a spindle and having an axially aligned opening in itsupper end, a flyer unit sup port on the upper end of said bobbin, saidsupport comprising a threaded element positioned within said upper endand in fixed engagement therewith, said threaded element having avertical aperture therethrough aligned with said bobbin axis, a flyerunit removably carried by said support, said flyer unit comprising asupporting element positioned within said aperture, means mounted onsaid supporting element for rotation about a vertical axis, a yarn guidearm extending laterally from said means, an eye connected to said meansin axial alignment with said supporting element, and other means forvarying the frictional drag efiect of yarn passing through said eye.

4. For use in a spinning frame, a bobbin adapted to be removably.positioned on a spindle and having a circular axially aligned opening inits upper end,a flyer unit support on the upper end of said bobbin, saidsupport comprising a threaded element positioned within said upper endand in fixed engagement therewith, said threaded element having avertical aperture therethrough aligned with said bobbin axis, a flyerunit removably carried by said support, said unit comprising an axiallydisposed member positioned within said aperture, a bear" ing associatedwith said member, a shaft carried by said bearing for rotation aboutsaid bobbin axis, a yarn guide arm extending laterally from said shaft,an eye connected to said shaft in axial alignment therewith, andmagnetic means for holding said axially disposed member against upwardmovement with respect to said support during normal operation of saidbobbin.

5. For use in a spinning frame, a bobbin adapted to be removablypositioned on a spindle, a flyer unit support fixed on the upper end ofsaid bobbin, said support having an aperture in alignment with the axisof said bobbin, a flyer unit carried by said support, said unitcomprising a member positioned within said aperture, a hearingassociated with said member, a shaft carried by said bearing forrotation about said bobbin axis, a yarn guide arm extending laterallyfrom said shaft, an eye connected to said shaft in axial alignmenttherewith, means for varying the frictional drag effect of yarn passingthrough said eye, and means for holding said member against upwardmovement with respect to said support .during normal operation of saidbobbin. I

6. For use in. a spinning frame, a tubular tapered bobbin adapted to beremovably positioned on a spindle,

said bobbin having an inwardly turned upper-end, a flyer unit support onthe-upper end of said bobbin, said support comprising a threaded elementpositioned Within said upper end, a flange extending outwardly from saidelement and resting on the top of said upper end, a nut threaded on saidthreaded element below said inwardly turned upper end, said nut having acircular exterior of suitable dimension to tightly engage the interiortapered surface of said bobbin when screwed upwardly on said threadedelement and with said flange drawn down in tight engagement withsaid-upper end, said threaded element having a vertical aperturetherethrough aligned with said bobbin axis, a, flyer unit removablycarried by said support, said flyer unit comprising a supporting memberpositioned in saidaper-ture, thread guiding and friction producing meansrotatably mounted on the upper end of said supporting member, and meansfor preventing vertical dislodgement of saidsupporting member from saidsupport-"during normal operation of. said bobbin.

7'. The cornbination'of' a bobbin having a steel keeper POSitiOIiQd nearthe upper end of said bobbin, said bobbin having a cylindrical axialopening above said keeper, a removable fiyer unit position d inSaid'opening, said fi yer unit comprising a cylindrical sleevefittingclosely within said cylindrical opening, a magnet at the bottomof said sleeve secured against vertical displacement with respectto saidsleeve, the lower surface of said magnet being in engagement with theupper surface of said keeper to hold said sleeve in operativerelationship with said bobbin, bearing means within the upper portion ofsaid sleeve, said bearing means comprising inner and outer races withrolling elements therebetween, a shaft carried by said inner racein'axial alignment with said sleeve, and an eye and thread guide mountedon the up per end of said shaft.

8. A flyer unit for use with a bobbin, said unitcom.- prising acylindrical; sleeve, a magnet in the lower end of said sleeve, an antifriction bearing in said sleeve, a shaft carried by said bearing inaxial alignment with said sleeve, and an eye and thread guide mounted onthe'upper end of said shaft. I I 9. A flyerunitfor use with a bobbin,saidunit comprising a cylindrical sleeve, a magnet in the lower end ofsaid sleeve, means securing said magnet against'vertical displacementwith respect to said sleeve while permitting slight angular movement ofsaid magnet whereby the 'lower surface'of said magnet may align itselfwith the upper surface of a keeper in-the bobbin, a pair of ver- Itically spaced bearings comprising inner and outerraces positioned insaid, sleeve, a shaft carried by said inner races in axial alignmentwith the axis of said sleeve, and an eye and thread guide on the upperend of said shaft.

10. A flyer unitfor attachment to the upper end of a bobbin and actingto retard the movement of yarn passing therethroug-, said unitcomprising a supporting member, an anti friction bearing rotatable abouta vertical axis and mounted on said member, a shaft carried by saidbearing and rotatable with respect to said memher, a yarn receiving eyecarried by the said shaft in axial alignment therewith, a thread guideattached to said rotatableshaft and laterally disposed with respect tosaid eye, and means for changing the angular position of said eye withrespect to said threadguide by rotation of said eye about its verticalaxis, whereby the frictional effect on yarn passing through said eye andguide may be varied.

lljFor use with a bobbin having an axially aligned opening at its upperend, a combined support and flyer unit carried thereon, said supportcomprising means for attachment to said bobbin within the bobbinopening,

said "support having a cylindrical axial aperture therethrough, saidsupport having an enlarged space directly bel'ow'said aperture, a magnetin said space, said flyer unit comprising a member partially positionedin said aperture with its lower end engaging said magnet in holdingrelation, a bearing unit comprising a pair of anti friction races, oneof which is mounted on the upper end of said member, an internallythreaded upwardly extending shaft mounted on the other of said races, aneye with a threaded shank screwed into said shaft, and means for lockingsaid shank in selected angular relation to said shaft.

12. For use in a spinning frame, a tubular tapered bobbin adapted to beremovably positioned on a spindle, said bobbin having an inwardly turnedupper end, a fiyer unit support on the upper end of said bobbin, saidsupport comprising a threaded element positioned Within said upper end,a flange extending outwardly from said threaded element and resting onthe top of said upper end, a nut threaded on said threaded element belowsaid inwardly turned upper end, said nut having a circular exterior ofsuitable dimension to tightly engage the interior tapered surface ofsaid bobbin when screwed upsaid support, said unit comprising a memberpositioned insaid aperture, thread guiding and friction producing meansrotatably mounted on the upper end of said member, and means forpreventing vertical dislodgement of said member from said support duringnormal operation of said bobbin.

1 3. For use in aspinning frame, a bobbinadaptedto be removablypositionedon a spindle and having a circular axially aligned openinginits upper end, a flyer unit support on the upper end of said bobbin,said support comprising a threaded element positioned within said'upperend and in fixed engagement therewith, said threaded element having avertical aperture therethrough aligned with said bobbin axis, a fiyerunit removably carried by said support, said unit comprising a memberpositioned within said aperture, a bearing and bearing housing mountedon said member for rotation about a vertical axis, a 'yarn guide armextending laterally from said bearing housing, a counterweight extendingin the opposite direction from said guide arm, an eye connected to saidhousing in axial; alignmentrwith said member, and means for varying thefrictional drageffect of yarn passing through said eye. V

14. For use in a spinning frame, a bobbin adapted to be removablypositioned on aspindle and having a circular axially aligned opening inits upper end, a fiyer unit support on the upper end of' said bobbin,said support comprising a threaded element positioned within said upperend and in fixed engagement therewith, said threaded element having avertical aperture therethrough aligned with said bobbin axis, a flyerunit removably carried by said support, said unit comprising a memberpositioned within said aperture, a bearing and shaft supported by saidbearing mounted on said member for rotation about a vertical axis, ayarn guide arm extending laterally from said shaft, a counterweight:extending in the opposite direction from said guide arm, an eyeconnected to said shaft in axial alignment with'said shaft, and a magnetlocated within said threaded element below said aperture for holdingsaid mamber against upward movement with respect to said support duringnormal operation of said bobbin.

15. 'For use inaspinning frame, a bobbin adapted to be. removablypositioned on a spindle, a'flyer unit support fixed on the upper endofsaid bobbin, said support having an aperture therethroughin alignmentwith the axis of said bobbin, a fiyer unit carried by said support,

said unit comprising a member positioned within said apertion from saidguide arm, an eye connected to said shaft in axial alignment with saidshaft, means for varying the frictional drag effect of yarn passingthrough said eye, and a magnet located within said support below saidaperture for holding said member against upward movement with respect tosaid support during normal operation of said bobbin.

16. A fiyer unit for attachment to the upper end of a bobbin and actingto retard the movement of yarn passing therethrough, said unitcomprising a supporting member, an anti friction bearing having a partrotatable about a vertical axis and mounted on the upper end of saidmember, a yarn receiving eye carried by the rotatable part of saidbearing in axial alignment therewith, a thread guide attached to saidrotatable part and laterally disposed with respect to said eye, acounterbalance for said thread guide, and means for changing the angularposition of said eye with respect to said thread guide by rotation ofsaid eye about its vertical axis, whereby the frictional effect on yarnpassing through said eye and guide may be varied.

17. For use with a bobbin having an axially aligned opening at its upperend, a combined support and flyer unit carried thereon, said supportcomprising means for attachment to said bobbin within the bobbinopening, said support having a cylindrical axial aperture therethrough,an enlarged space in said support directly below said aperture, a magnetin said space, said flyer unit comprising a member positioned in saidaperture with its lower end engaging said magnet in holding relation, abearing unit comprising an interior race mounted on the upper end ofsaid member, an exterior race and rolling elements therebetween, ahousing on said exterior race and having an internally threaded upwardlyextending shaft, an eye with a threaded shank screwed into said shaft,means for locking said shank in selected angular relation to said shaft,and a counterbalanced guide arm extending radially from said shaft belowsaid eye and above said support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS515,301 McCausland Feb. 20, 1894 691,594 Butler Jan. 21, 1902 959,198Boyd May 24, 1910 2,668,020 Dunlap Feb. 2, 1954

